I’m having a bit of trouble with wordpress. I hope this comes through for everyone.
Today the sun came up at 7:09 and will set at 4:52. The days are growing shorter…9 hours and 42 minutes.
History of Delta County —- Water
From the beginning a major obstacle was the water supply. The first homesteaders hauled their domestic water from the Gunnison River. This inconvenience was soon remedied in the early eighties by sinking wells. Many individual homes had their own well and by 1883 there was a town well at the junction of Third and Main.
After seepage from Garnet mesa irrigation ruined the wells, the town went back to hauling water from the Gunnison River.
Farmers and Ranchers hauled their own supply for decades before they were able to get “city” water piped into their homes. You could always tell how far a farmer or rancher lived from town by the number of water barrels in his wagon.
In 1890 the citizen focused their attention on the water supply. A system of waterworks was constructed that year for $17,000. The Gunnison River was tapped about a mile above town and the water channeled to a brick and concrete cistern. From there it was pumped through mains to an elevated tank on Garnet Mesa, about 120 feet above the post office and 140 feet above the cistern. Pressure, produced by gravity, amounted to 45 pounds per square inch at the highest part of Main Street. This was considered enough for fire protection.
There was also a steam powered pump at the North Delta bridge which furnished another domestic water source.
Linda
sun set is so early
looks like lovely warm fading sun shine in this shot
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I think of those trees hauled across a continent as seedlings and watered so carefully…Your post came through just fine. WordPress hiccups sometimes.
I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to haul water in barrels. It certainly would make one appreciate it more!
Sunrise here 8:22 and sunset 4:27 8 hr and 5 min
Issues with water and having enough of it will be ours forever. (We won’t let those in Oregon read this tho). Love your photo!
Yep – working OK here, despite the heatwave. Yesterday afternoon I even had to turn off this
computer, it was making “woeful” noises. Turned it back on this morning and working well with
no groans????
Water: Amazing how dependent we are all on it. Pity that we are “taxed” by various government agencies so high for the usage, especially here in Brisbane, as the 4 dams supplying water to this region are at full capacity – enough water for Brisbane to survive for 10 “rainless” years according to the authorities, and with the summer rainy season to soon be here, there will be “water, water everywhere, “(but not a drop to drink)” substitute “but can we afford it?”
Cheers
Colin (Brisbane.Australia)
Hauling water would be so difficult. Thank goodness for pumps! Love the photo! The days are getting shorter here as well. Have a good weekend.
I love reading histories of what people did to survive in the 1800′s. Imagine what they had to go through to fill those barrels in the Gunnison then bring them home!